Trump Administration Picks Wall Street Veteran for GSA Chief Role
The White House has officially nominated Edward Forst, a Wall Street heavyweight with a résumé spanning Goldman Sachs, Cushman & Wakefield, and most recently Lion Capital to lead the General Services Administration (GSA). The move comes more than seven months into President Trump’s second term and marks a pivotal leadership shift at an agency that touches virtually every corner of the federal government’s procurement, technology, and real estate operations.
So who exactly is Ed Forst? Think of him as a private sector veteran with serious institutional chops. His 17 years at Goldman Sachs were followed by leadership roles at Cushman & Wakefield, and now he’s chairman of British private equity firm Lion Capital. He even had a brief stint advising the Treasury Department during the 2008 financial crisis. In short, Forst brings a deep understanding of both public and private sector dynamics, something that will be key as GSA navigates a period of turbulence and transformation. That turbulence? Let’s talk DOGE, not the cryptocurrency, but the Department of Government Efficiency, a Trump-era initiative that’s seen its fair share of controversy, reshuffling, and recent high-profile exits. The once Musk-backed initiative lost steam earlier this summer when Elon publicly stepped away and tensions between him and the administration surfaced. Since then, DOGE’s leadership has been in flux, and its influence at GSA appears to be waning.Enter Michael Rigas. Installed last week as GSA’s acting head, Rigas, a Trump-era loyalist and current State Department execution is widely seen as steering the agency away from DOGE’s influence. He’s already begun reorganizing leadership, replacing key DOGE-aligned figures and ushering in his own picks. Longtime Trump appointees Frank Schuler and Michael Peters have both stepped down in the wake of this shift, and speculation is swirling about what comes next for the agency’s internal agenda.
Meanwhile, Steve Davis, a Musk ally and former operational lead of DOGE, reportedly tried to install his own leadership slate at GSA before the shakeup, suggesting behind-the-scenes tension over the future direction of the agency. With Forst now in line for the top job, all eyes are on the Senate confirmation process. Industry watchers will be particularly interested in how Forst’s Wall Street pedigree translates into government modernization efforts and whether his appointment signals a shift toward a more traditional, technocratic approach at GSA or a continued appetite for disruptive reform.
Forst’s nomination comes at a moment of real inflection for GSA, which is caught between competing visions of innovation, efficiency, and stability. Whether he’ll bring calm, accelerate change, or walk the tightrope between both remains to be seen. But one thing’s certain: this is a leadership pick with big implications for federal contractors, tech vendors, and anyone watching how the government gets things done.
📜 COMPLIANCE AND REGULATION UPDATES
President Donald Trump has nominated Edward Forst, a seasoned financial executive, as the head of the General Services Administration (GSA). First, currently chairman of Lion Capital, brings extensive experience from a 17-year tenure at Goldman Sachs, a year as a senior advisor at the Treasury Department in 2008, and a leadership role at Cushman & Wakefield. His nomination follows a significant leadership transition at GSA, the agency responsible for managing critical government operations, including technology, real estate, and acquisitions. GSA recently appointed Michael Rigas as acting head, replacing Stephen Ehikian, amid shifts linked to the controversial Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE). Despite DOGE’s uncertain future after Elon Musk’s withdrawal, GSA remains focused on enhancing government efficiency. Rigas welcomed Forst’s nomination, emphasizing GSA’s commitment to advancing its mission. Forst’s confirmation will bolster GSA’s efforts to drive innovation and streamline federal operations, ensuring GSA continues to play a pivotal role in government management.
Federal Procurement Updates
All American Express Solutions, LLC, an Indianapolis SDVOSB, threw shade at Rollin’O’Stop, LLC’s contract win for courier services under a Department of Veterans Affairs RFQ. All American argued Rollin’O’Stop’s price was suspiciously low, failing Service Contract Act wage standards, and questioned their experience and responsibility in federal procurement. But the bid protest got the boot for being legally flimsy! The RFQ didn’t require a price realism analysis, and federal procurement rules forbid it without explicit terms. When there is a question about compliance with labor laws, that’s a contract administration issue, not for bid protests. All American’s complaints about Rollin’O’Stop’s experience fizzled since federal procurement criteria only covered technical approach and price, not past performance. Their responsibility challenge also flopped, lacking serious evidence. This federal procurement tale screams one truth: stick to the solicitation’s rules in federal procurement, or your protest will crash faster than a bad delivery!
Small Businesses, Are You Ready or at Risk?
“If you’re not in the game, you’re already losing.” — Chuck Schumer, August 2025
In a move that could make or break thousands of small businesses, Monroe County just expanded its federal contracting accelerator program — and it’s not staying local anymore. This isn’t just another government announcement. It’s a wake-up call.
What’s Happening?
Monroe County’s APEX Accelerator, a program that helps businesses win federal contracts, is now stretching across upstate New York. That means more companies in Buffalo, Rochester, and Syracuse will get access to tools that help them land deals with big agencies like the Department of Defense.
Over the past five years, this program has helped businesses grab 20,000 contracts worth $1.1 billion. That’s not pocket change. That’s life-changing money.
Why Should You Care?
Imagine federal contracting like a giant pie. Big companies usually get the biggest slices. But now, with programs like this expanding, small businesses are being handed forks and told, “Dig in.”
The Risk Is Real
Here’s the catch: if your region doesn’t have a program like this, or if you’re not registered in SAM (System for Award Management), you’re invisible to federal buyers. It’s like showing up to a job interview without a resume.
And with competition heating up, especially in tech, logistics, and manufacturing, small businesses that don’t adapt will get left behind.
The Opportunity Is Massive
Federal contracting in 2025 is booming. The government is spending big on infrastructure, defense, and innovation. Programs like APEX are teaching businesses how to write winning proposals, meet compliance rules, and pitch their services like pros. It’s like having a coach in your corner while others are swinging blindfolded.
What Should You Do Now?
- Get registered in SAM. No registration, no contract.
- Find your local accelerator. If Monroe County can do it, others might too.
- Learn the rules. Federal contracting has its own language. You don’t need to be fluent, but you do need a translator.
- Watch your competitors. If they’re getting contracts and you’re not, ask why.
This expansion isn’t just good news for New York. It’s a signal to every small business in America: federal contracting is changing, and you need to change with it.
Think of it like a race. The track just got wider, but the runners are faster. If you want to win, you need better shoes, a coach, and a strategy.
MITRE Lands Nearly $584M Contract to Continue Leading National Security R&D for U.S. Air Force
The MITRE Corporation has secured a significant win, which is a continuation contract worth up to $583.9 million, reaffirming its pivotal role in supporting the U.S. Air Force’s most complex and critical national security missions. The contract ensures MITRE’s continued operation as administrator of the National Security Engineering Center (NSEC), a Federally Funded Research and Development Center (FFRDC) focused on advancing cutting-edge capabilities for defense and foreign military partners.
Awarded by the Air Force Life Cycle Management Center at Hanscom Air Force Base, the cost-reimbursement contract (FA8702-25-C-B001) was issued through a sole-source acquisition. It includes the exercise of an option under the existing contract, originally awarded under FA8702-19-C-0001, and extends MITRE’s tenure through September 30, 2026. While the ceiling value of the contract is headline-worthy, what’s more compelling is the strategic importance of the work involved. MITRE’s role through NSEC is unique as an independent, not-for-profit organization operating in the public interest; it advises and delivers on highly sensitive R&D efforts that the federal government cannot delegate to commercial industry alone. From system-of-systems engineering to advanced cybersecurity architectures, MITRE’s support touches everything from next-gen Air Force capabilities to coalition-based defense technology for allied nations. The scope of work is far-reaching: activities will be conducted at MITRE’s primary locations in Bedford, Massachusetts, and McLean, Virginia, as well as across numerous domestic and international sites. This continuation contract also supports Foreign Military Sales (FMS) efforts, highlighting the global relevance of MITRE’s defense innovations. Although just over $103,000 in FY2025 research and development funds are being obligated at the time of award, the broader implications of this multiyear agreement extend far beyond the initial sum. With this contract, MITRE continues to serve as a trusted engineering brain trust for the U.S. Air Force, offering continuity, institutional memory, and world-class technical insight at a time when rapid innovation and agile defense responses are more vital than ever.
For those watching the intersection of public-private innovation, national security, and advanced systems engineering, this is one of the most consequential awards of the year.
